6 Ways To Reduce Interview Nerves
Interviews are our opportunity to make the best impression we can, and we have an hour or so to convince a hiring manager that we’re the perfect candidate for them – this can fill the best of us with nervous energy.
Nerves affect us all differently, some people get overly chatty, and others retreat into themselves; so whether you struggle to hold eye contact, or can’t stop fidgeting, we have some tips for you!
#1 Morning interviews
You may not think about the importance of interview timing, but it can make quite a difference to how well the interview itself goes. For example, if you book an interview for 3pm, it is quite likely that you will not be doing anything before the interview and will spend that time waiting around. Think about it like an exam – you should already know your stuff the day before (at least), and cramming in the morning may confuse and overwhelm you. Interviewing in the morning will limit the window of potential stress-time, and means you’re less likely to trip up in your answers.
#2 Know your CV backwards
You’re probably thinking “who doesn’t know what’s on their own CV, it’s all about them”, well, you’d be surprised at how often people make this mistake. Often, these are the people that solely focus on company research in their interview prep, so much so that they forget to check what they have submitted in their application. If you don’t know what’s on it, you’ll either come across as underprepared or even a liar, and neither will bode too well for you. It may be that you have included something and forgotten about it, or you may have claimed something in your personal statement that you should back-up in the interview. Going over your CVbeforehand, pehaps on your way there or in the waiting room, is a good idea, especially for your first couple of interviews.
#3 Get there early
As with all things in your working life, punctuality is essential for your credibility. It is vital to make sure your timings are right on interview day and it is an element that doesn’t even require any skill. Hiring managers are incredibly busy, and usually interview numerous people for each vacancy – needless to say, they do not have the spare time, or patience, to wait around for you without warning. If you are delayed, by the time you get there, they will have already developed a bad perception of you (unless they are extremely forgiving). If they are interviewing multiple candidates on the same day, they may have allotted times for each person, meaning you may miss your slot entirely, and another candidate may snap it up (because they bothered to turn up on time).
Not only have you given the interviewer a bad impression of you, but you’ll also be more flustered than you would normally be, and your mind will be all over the place – save yourself the anxiety and plan your route in advance. If, for whatever reason, you know you will be late, make sure you let someone know. It isn’t nearly as bad if they are expecting it (although still try to be on time, for your sake).
#4 Master your entrance and exit
Making a strong entrance will set the tone for the whole interview, so it is important to set it well. A strong handshake is key, so don’t present a limp, floppy hand for your interviewer to shake, as it can get the meeting off to a very awkward and uncomfortable start. As well as this, it is essential to keep in mind your level of eye contact – try to find a balance between staring directly at them and avoiding their eyes, as this will convey confidence and self-assurance. The importance of this depends entirely on the role you’re going for, as in a sales role shyness is not a desirable trait, whereas it is less important in an IT position.
It is common to overlook the importance of exiting an interview, due to being cought up in company research and trying to make a good first impression. The way you leave will be the freshest memory the hiring manager has of you when they are reviewing the interview, so it is more important that you may initially think. If, for whatever reason, you decide to go in for a fist bump or, conversely, if you sheepishly slide out of the room with minimal eye contact, you’re not going to be held in high regard. Again, make sure to present a strong handshake, a smile, and a quick thanks for taking the time to meet you.
#5 Listen to music
Music has both the power to uplift your mood, and also serves as a distraction if you’re nervous. Either you can use mellow music to get you into a calm and tranquil mindset, or you can choose a more upbeat playlist to get you energised – if you are in need of a confidence boost, or need to clear your mind, sticking your headphones in could be the answer. It is important to note to never wear your headphones into the building where the interview is about to take place. Ever!
#6 Don’t take it too seriously
Last, but certainly not least, don’t forget that the interview isn’t supposed to be terror-inducing, and you aren’t there to merely answer questions like a machine when they come your way. The hiring manager wants to know that they’ll like the person they’re hiring, and want to see you’d be a genuinely good fit for their team. You will be working with them at some point, and personality in some cases is just as important as level of qualification and experience. If it’s a small office, this is extra important as the team dynamic heavily relies on everyone getting on.
As with most things in life, the simple formula is: the more you know about something, the better you are at it, and in the wise words of Arthur Ashe:
“One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preparation.”
If you want any more tips about job searching check out our other posts; if we haven’t covered anything you’re interested in knowing more about, feel free to leave a comment and we’d be happy to help.
